Deepa Shetty, a local resident who started the petition said: “Most of them are over a century old mature lime trees. We need these trees.

“They contribute significantly to the local climate for flood prevention, to bee and bat populations, to air quality and their value hasn’t been properly assessed.”

Sheffield City Council has a contract with Amey, who operate the Streets Ahead Highways Maintenance and Management service across the city. Darren Butt from the company said: “We will replace the trees, hopefully in the same location.”

“The road is warped. We are solving the problem for future generations. Due to complaints we will discuss replacements but unfortunately the trees will go.”

The pavement on Rustlings Road where the trees have damaged the pavement. Picture: Andrew Roe

David Garlovsky, a tree expert said: “Sheffield has one of the highest rates of air pollution in the country and cutting down these mature trees will make it worse. I’m questioning your professional judgement and why you are going against the people of Sheffield.”

Vinnie Traynor, 44, who lives on nearby Pevril Road and brought along his eight-year-old daughter Rose said: “My kids and I don’t think these trees should be cut down.

“It’s a bureaucratic decision made for the wellbeing of the pavement and not the people. This is the tip of the iceberg, if we don’t stand up for them now, the same will happen in less mobilised places in Sheffield and they will find their environments have been damaged. It’s not just about these trees it’s about the whole city.”